As we all know, auxiliary gas must be added in the processing of laser cutting machine, and the selection of auxiliary gas is also a great knowledge.

Why should auxiliary gas be added in laser cutting machine processing

Before finding out how to select the auxiliary gas of the laser cutting machine, we should first understand why to use the auxiliary gas and the role of the auxiliary gas.

After years of experience in the laser cutting industry, the use of auxiliary gas can not only blow away the slag in the coaxial slit, but also cool the surface of the processed object, reduce the heat affected zone, cool the focusing lens, and prevent smoke and dust from entering the lens seat, polluting the lens and causing the lens to overheat.

The selection of gas pressure and type has a great impact on the cutting process. The selection of auxiliary gas will have a certain impact on the cutting performance, including cutting speed and cutting thickness.

How to select the auxiliary gas of laser cutting machine

The auxiliary gases that can be used by the laser cutting machine mainly include oxygen, nitrogen, air and argon. Next, we will introduce the uses and characteristics of different auxiliary gases for your reference only.

1. Oxygen

It is mainly used for laser cutting machine to cut carbon steel. Using oxygen reaction heat to improve the cutting efficiency, the resulting oxide film will improve the beam spectral absorption factor of the reflective material. The end face of the incision is black or dark yellow.

It is mainly applicable to rolled steel, rolled steel for fusion structure, carbon steel for mechanical structure, high tension plate, tool plate, stainless steel, electroplated steel plate, copper, copper alloy, etc.

2. Nitrogen

When some metals are cut, oxygen will form an oxide film on the cutting surface. Nitrogen can be used for oxidation-free cutting to prevent the appearance of oxide film. The non oxidation cutting mask has the characteristics of direct welding and coating, strong corrosion resistance and so on. The end face of the incision is white.

The main applicable plates are stainless steel, electroplated steel plate, brass, aluminum, aluminum alloy, etc.

3. Air

Air can be supplied directly by the air compressor, so it is very cheap compared with other gases. Although the air contains about 20% oxygen, the cutting efficiency is far lower than that of oxygen, and the cutting capacity is similar to that of nitrogen. A small amount of oxide film will appear on the cutting surface, but it can be used as a measure to prevent the film layer from falling off. The end face of the incision is yellow.

The main applicable materials are aluminum, aluminum alloy, stainless copper, brass, electroplated steel plate, non-metallic and so on.

4. Argon

Argon is an inert gas, which is used to prevent oxidation and nitriding in laser cutting machine cutting and also used in welding. Compared with other processing gases, the price is lower and the cost is increased accordingly. The end face of the incision is white.

The main applicable materials are titanium, titanium alloy, etc.